Greetings! My apologies for the long wait between chapters. I have a lot going on right now, including work, kids out for summer break, a family member in hospital, and pending family vacation. That said, I hope to keep writing as it is how I deal with stress. Unfortunately, I don't know how quickly I'll get to editing and posting stuff. I have several chapters of this done, the next chapter of Slow Burn written, another chapter for Bearrison Wells typed up, and am working on edits to Amoung the Living. Just be patient with me and keep encouraging me and I'll keep chugging along. That said, thanks to DoctorHarrisonWells, Scoobyice8, Lady Sarlon, and Zannabanana for helping me out. You guys have been great about being supporting and encouraging. Thanks! - Troll
Chapter 7: Investigation
Tina McGee frowned at head of security Mr. Scot. "What do you mean he hasn't come in yet today?" Shifting his weight on his leg and crutches, James returned her frown with one of his own and then a shrug.
"Just what I said, Dr. McGee. Dr. Chambers hasn't come in yet today," James replied.
"And this worries you?" Tina said repeating the rest of his previous statement. The man standing across from her nodded. "Why?"
"A few reasons," James replied. "First, he was clearly upset when he left here. Second, I received a phone call last night before I headed home. It was a Dr. Caitlin Snow looking for Johnny. When I informed her that I didn't expect to see him again until today, she said not to worry about giving him her message." Letting out a breath of air, he shifted his weight and started pacing the room, his crutches punctuating each step with a creak.
"That does seem unusual," Tina agreed. "Interesting that Dr. Snow knows about Mr - Dr. Chambers," Tina mused, managing a smile as she corrected herself. James opened his mouth to say more but fell silent when Dr. McGee's intercom buzzed.
"Sorry to interrupt Dr. McGee," came the secretary's voice. Glancing at her head of security, who nodded, Tina turned her attention to the speaker.
"Not a problem, Ms. Timlin," Tina replied. "Go ahead."
"Detective West is here again," came Timlin's response.
"Why?" Tina asked, immediately confused.
"He said it's related to a case," came the response. Tina's eyes flicked up to James.
"Send him in," Tina decided. A moment later her door opened and Joe entered, a serious look on his face. Standing, Tina came around her desk and offered her hand. "Detective West, nice to see you again. I was just thinking of contacting you. Dr. Chambers failed to show up today."
Joe took her hand briefly before stepping away and pulling out his notepad. "Well, that answers one question," Joe mused more to himself than anyone else. "I'm sorry to keep bothering you Dr. McGee."
"No bother. My secretary said you were here on a case," Tina informed him.
"I am. Dr. Chambers failed to return home last night," Joe supplied. Tina and James exchanged looks, but the head of security stayed quiet.
"I thought police didn't usually start investing a missing person until 24 hours had passed," Tina supplied. She was desperate for more information, but didn't want to just come right out and ask.
"This case is special circumstances," Joe said, skittering away from answering any questions. "What time did you see Johnny last?"
"Last night," Tina supplied. "I was getting ready to talk with him when he received an urgent phone call from his daughter."
"Right, I was on the other end of the line," Joe agreed. "When did he leave here?"
"Immediately," Tina said. "He seemed highly agitated by the call and asked if we could postpone our meeting. I agreed and he literally ran for the stairs."
"About an hour later, a Dr. Caitlin Snow called here looking for Johnny," James added, leaning forwards on his crutches. "What special circumstances?" Looking up from his notepad, Joe studied the other man.
"I'm not at liberty to discuss that," Joe supplied. "You haven't seen or heard anything since?"
"No. Have you talked with his daughter?" Tina gave James a look. They both had questions but it was clear the detective wasn't interested in sharing much.
"Yes. Johnny didn't make it home from here." Joe looked back and forth between the other two. "You sure you don't know anything else?" This time Tina looked to James, her eyes conveying that he could take over the conversation.
"No sir," James supplied. "Johnny said he'd see us in the morning. Anything else?"
"Not at the moment, no," Joe said, letting out a sigh and putting his notebook up. "I'd like you to contact me if you think of or hear anything else."
"Of course," Tina agreed. "You know your way out?"
"Yes, thank you." Noding his head, Joe headed out. He was surprised when the security guard followed him, moving extremely quickly on his crutches.
"Detective West," James said, stopping next to Joe at the elevators. "I'd like to talk to you."
"Sure, but I can't talk about the case," Joe said.
"I've been working with Dr. Chambers for a week now," James began. "I can tell you that his daughter is the most important thing to him. He wouldn't just abandon her. I was wondering if you've looked into the possibility that John was mistaken for his brother."
"You think somebody with a vendetta against Dr. Wells has something to do with Dr. Chambers being missing?" Joe had already considered that possibility. He just didn't know where to start.
"I know that Johnny wore a hat any time he went out in public, afraid he would be mistaken for Dr. Wells," James supplied. "He was trying too hard to take care of his daughter to just leave her now."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you," Joe said, nodding. The elevator arrived and Joe got in, before it closed, James reached out and stopped the door from closing. "Yeah?" Joe looked up at the other man, a questioning eyebrow raised.
"If it might help," James began, shifting his weight on his crutches. "I can give you copies of our external surveillance for the days that Johnny was here." Joe studied the other man, a little surprised to realize that for whatever reason, the security guard cared about Harry.
"That would be very helpful," Joe agreed. James joined Joe on the elevator, checking to make sure Joe had selected the correct floor. "I don't think we've been properly introduced," Joe said. "Detective Joe West." He offered his hand. Putting all his weight on one crutch, James let go of the other and took Joe's hand in a firm shake.
"James Scot, head of security," James declared. There was a moment of awkward silence where Joe tried hard not to stare at the space James's leg should have been. "Go ahead and ask," James ordered.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare," Joe began, feeling embarrassed.
"You were doing an excellent job of not staring," James agreed. "Sometimes not staring is worse. I lost it to an IED."
"You served?" Joe wasn't surprised. Everything about the man screamed training, discipline, and control. "Which branch?"
"Marines. Gunnery Sergeant." James didn't look at Joe, instead staring straight ahead. "Part of the reason Commander and I got along so well." He wondered if the detective knew about Johnny's past.
"Right," Joe agreed. He'd pulled Harry's ARGUS provided file. The military history had surprised him, but at least he knew what Scot was talking about. "How often do you review the security footage?" The elevator dinged and the detective followed the head of security own the hall.
"Johnny insisted that we review them each morning. He helped me program parameters into the computer program and have that scan through the recordings." James explained. Obviously the detective knew Dr. Chambers at least as well as James. It made him feel better about the man he was letting into his territory. The head of security swiped his badge, the lock clicked, and he shoved the door open with the end of one crutch. "Have a seat, I'll get the computer started on copying everything."
"You'd think if you were reviewing it every morning you'd catch anything suspicious," Joe mused.
"Yes but if it has something to do with Harrison Wells, Johnny might not know who or what to look for," James pointed out. He worked at the computer; Joe watching the man's fingers fly over the keyboard.
"I hadn't thought of that," Joe agreed. "How long will this take?"
"Maybe another minute" James answered. "Is Johnny's daughter upset?"
"Yeah." Joe agreed. "The rest of us are doing our best to help her stay calm."
"I never met her." James double checked something on the computer and then removed a thumb drive. "Here you go, Detective. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help you."
"I will. Thank you," Joe agreed, taking the offered thumb drive. "Do I need an escort out?"
"Nope," James informed him. "Just take a left out the door and that hall will take you right to the atrium. None of the other doors will open without a clearance badge."
"Thanks." Tucking the thumb drive into his pocket, Joe headed out.
From Mercury Labs Joe went over to S.T.A.R. labs. When he entered the cortex he wasn't surprised to find Caitlin, Cisco, and Jesse all intently working. "Hey," Joe greeted them. "Nothing at Mercury Labs, though they did give me all the external surveillance for the days that Johnny was there," Joe said, putting the drive down on the table next to the computer.
"Great, I'll start going through it," Cisco said, grabbing up the thumb drive and plopping down in front of the computer.
"Who would take my dad?" Jesse asked. She was worried and terrified. While she might be angry about her father killing Turtle, she didn't wish him harm.
"Dr. McGee's head of security seemed to think we should be looking for someone going after Dr. Wells," Joe said, putting a comforting hand on the young woman's shoulder. "I have his description out there so if anybody sees him or finds him, it should come back to me."
"Oh man," Cisco said, his voice filled with worry and dread.
"What?" Jesse asked, moving to look over Cisco's shoulder.
"I think I may have found something," Cisco said. Typing a few keys, he put an image up on the plasma.
"Is that General Eiling?" Caitlin asked, stepping forwards as she gazed at the image.
"I think it is," Cisco agreed. "And it looks like he's staring at Johnny." The engineer frowned, wondering what the military man wanted from Harry.
"Why would Eiling take Johnny?" Caitlin asked, frowning at the screen.
"Who is General Eiling?" Jesse asked, staring at the picture.
"Somebody not good," Cisco said. Dread settled in his stomach and he felt ill.
"Don't worry, Jesse," Joe said. "We won't give up on your dad. Let's find out everything we can about Eiling. I'll update Barry, he's working on other cases at work." Glancing one last time at the computer, Joe pulled out his phone and turned away. He was going to do everything he could to get Harry back safely.